José Mourinho recently took the stage for a press conference. He faced questions about his team’s upcoming match against Benfica. Reporters also asked him about compliments from Bruno Lage and some remarks made by a Fenerbahçe vice-president, Hamdi Akin.
Bruno Lage, just last week, called Mourinho the “best coach in Setúbal and many areas around it.” Mourinho seemed to take this in stride. “I believe I’m the only one with a street named after me in Setúbal,” he pointed out. “That must mean something.” He felt Lage respected his long career and achievements. Yet, Mourinho quickly downplayed the praise. He called such remarks “niceties” and said they meant “nothing special” to him. He then acknowledged Lage as a skilled coach. Lage has gained significant experience, not only at a big club like Benfica but also in the Premier League. Mourinho wished Lage all the best, adding, “just not tomorrow.”
The conversation then turned to statements from Hamdi Akin, a Fenerbahçe vice-president. Akin reportedly said the upcoming match would be easy for Mourinho’s side. Mourinho’s response was sharp and direct. “Believe it or not, I don’t know who he is,” Mourinho stated. “I don’t know the person. I don’t know his influence or importance within the club structure. Nobody ever introduced him to me.” Mourinho admitted he sometimes confuses names. But he was firm: “I don’t know who he is.”
Dealing with the Transfer Market
Shifting focus to transfers, Mourinho expressed clear disappointment. He spoke about his limited involvement in player acquisitions. “I don’t touch the market much,” he explained. “I work with the players I have.” He highlighted a critical issue: no new players became available for the two Benfica matches after their last game against Feyenoord. He noted that two new players were signed “after the market” had closed. “If the tie against Benfica was the most important thing,” he reasoned, “those two players would have arrived earlier.” He also dismissed rumors about Geny Catamo joining the team. “I don’t think Geny Catamo is on Fenerbahçe’s list,” Mourinho said. “Honestly, I don’t think there is any list. I don’t think any player will come in now. It’s a contradiction. I don’t think anything exists with Geny.”
Finally, when asked to predict Benfica’s starting eleven, Mourinho declined to guess. He painted a picture of Benfica’s coach, Bruno Lage, as a fortunate man. “Bruno is a happy coach, with a thousand options,” Mourinho observed. “He has so many players and so much quality.” This allows Lage to play however he wants, using different tactical approaches. Benfica’s squad offers numerous choices, meaning Lage “can perfectly take out a player and give another dynamic on the field.” Mourinho concluded it would be “easier to predict Fenerbahçe than Benfica.”